Magazine Research

Kerrang!

Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on 6 June 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper. Named after the onomatopoeic word that derives from the sound made when playing a power chord on a distorted electric guitar, Kerrang! was initially devoted to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and the rise of hard rock acts. In the early 2000s it became the best-selling British music newspaper

The Kerrang! average reader age is 22.

 

Kerrang! loves music, especially rock. Kerrang! is considered by its readers to be an integral part of the scene rather than just a commentator. Kerrang! readers are the heaviest music consumers purchasing over 6 albums per month on average (53% more than the national average) and 8 times more likely to spend over £200 a year on albums. The readers are also 5.5 times more likely to attend a rock gig.

Stories:

Generally same font used

Capital letters make stories stand out and easy to read

Black and Red font on a white background

White font on Blue splat for ‘Rocks Biggest Gig Guide!’

 

Magazine Name:

Capital letters Rugged font Exclamation mark Red font on a white

background Only slightly overlapped

so magazine name is still recognisable

Image:

Props (headphones associated with music)

Eye contact 

Q

Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology. Q was first published by the EMAP media group in October 1986, setting itself apart from much of the other music press with monthly production and higher standards of photography and printing. In the early years, the magazine was sub-titled "The modern guide to music and more". Originally it was to be called Cue (as in the sense of cueing a record, ready to play), but the name was changed so that it wouldn't be mistaken for a snooker magazine. Another reason, cited in Q's 200th edition, is that a single-letter title would be more prominent on newsstands. In January 2008 EMAP sold its consumer magazine titles, including Q, to the Bauer Media Group.

Magazine Name:

Top left corner One letter White font on

Red

Stories:

Different fonts Mainly Black

and Red font Some Gold font Various sizes of

font

Magazine design:

Grey and White fade

Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone is a magazine published every two weeks that focuses on politics and popular culture. In 1967, Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco, California, by Jann Wenner – who is still the magazine's chief editor – and music critic, Ralph J. Gleason.

Rolling Stone was known for its musical coverage and for political reporting by the enigmatic and controversial gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson. In the 1990s, the magazine changed its format to appeal to a younger readership interested in youth-oriented television shows, film actors, and popular music. This led to criticism that the magazine was emphasizing style over substance.

Magazine Name:

Red, White and Black theme

Classic font Some overlap but

the name is still recognisable

Magazine Design:

White background

Image:

Eye contact

Stories:

Same font used, difference in sizes but the colour only varies between grey and black